At the SXSW panel titled "The Future of World-building at Disney," Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman unveiled a series of exciting updates and future plans for Disney Parks. The panel highlighted the integration of popular characters and stories into new attractions, showcasing the collaborative efforts between Disney's various teams to enhance guest experiences.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Will Join Smuggler's Run in a New Mission at the Launch of The Mandalorian & Grogu Film

Disney confirmed that The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature in a new mission aboard Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, coinciding with the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu film on May 22, 2026. Jon Favreau, along with Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama, provided insights into this new narrative, which will not retell the movie's plot but rather offer an experience happening concurrently off-screen. They showcased concept art featuring iconic locations such as a Jawa's Sandcrawler on Tatooine, the Millennium Falcon and Mando's Razor Crest approaching Cloud City on Bespin, and a visit to the wreckage of the second Death Star above Endor.

3 Images

To ensure authenticity, scenes for this new story were captured directly from the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Additionally, the beloved BDX droids, previously seen at Disneyland, will expand their presence to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. A new variant, an Anzellan named Otto, will occasionally appear on a BDX needing repairs.

These droids will also make an appearance in The Mandalorian & Grogu film.

Here's a Sneak Peek at the Load Area and Lift Off of the New Monsters, Inc. Attraction at Disney World

The upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney World's Hollywood Studios will feature a groundbreaking themed roller coaster, marking Disney's first-ever suspended coaster and the first with a vertical lift. Guests will experience the thrill of soaring through the door vault of Monsters, Inc. Disney provided a first look at the load area, setting the stage for the adventure to come.

Pixar and Imagineering Reveal a New Type of Ride Vehicle Had to Be Made for Magic Kingdom's Upcoming Cars Attraction

Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen discussed the new Cars-themed attraction at Magic Kingdom, emphasizing the creation of an emotional experience. For this attraction, a new type of ride vehicle was developed, designed to convey feelings beyond mere transportation. The team conducted research in the Arizona desert, riding off-road vehicles to gather data for a thrilling rally race through the mountains. They collaborated with a motocross company to build a dirt track, using it to test and refine the ride vehicle.

Each vehicle will have its own personality, name, and number, adding a unique Disney and Pixar touch to the experience.

Robert Downey Jr. Stops by Disney's SXSW Panel to Help Share More About the New Avengers Campus Attractions

Disneyland's Avengers Campus will soon feature two new attractions. The first, Avengers Infinity Defense, will see guests teaming up with Avengers to battle King Thanos across multiple worlds. The second, Stark Flight Lab, was highlighted by Robert Downey Jr., who will reprise his role as Tony Stark. This attraction will immerse guests in Tony's workshop, showcasing new technology.

Guests will experience high-speed maneuvers in "gyro-kinetic pods" manipulated by a giant robot arm, inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers. This innovative ride system, transferring from a track to a robot arm and back, is a first in theme park history. The technology, inspired by Tony Stark's robot DUM-E, is front and center, with motion capture and dancers helping to bring the robots to life.

These announcements from the SXSW panel underscore Disney's commitment to pushing the boundaries of theme park experiences, blending storytelling with cutting-edge technology to create immersive and emotional adventures for guests.